Allie Ostrander, a 2015 Kenai Central graduate, finished fourth in the NCAA Division I national cross-country championships Saturday at E.P. “Tom” Sawyer Park in Louisville, Kentucky.
The Boise State redshirt sophomore finished the six-kilometer course in 19 minutes, 31.2 seconds, while winner Ednah Kurgat, a New Mexico sophomore, won the race in 19:19.5. Ostrander’s effort led Boise State to a sixth-place finish.
The effort marks a continued return to form for Ostrander, who finished second at cross-country nationals as a true freshman in 2015.
Ostrander missed last year’s cross-country nationals with injury, but came back to nab the NCAA 3,000-meter steeplechase crown in early June. In early July, she won her first Mount Marathon women’s title to set up her strong cross-country season.
In addition to picking up All-America status Saturday, Ostrander also won the NCAA Elite 90 Award, given to the athlete with the highest grade-point average at the meet.
